19 Jan Sathia: Only three fit!

ISMAIL Matter has earned the nickname `Asian Maradona’ for his ball control, pace, resourcefulness and thunder bolt shots and the United Arab Emirates player will be out terrorise the unfit Malaysian team in the first leg of the 2011 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the KLFA Stadium tonight. Ismail, who wears the No 10 jersey, will be out for blood against Malaysia as he will want to prove his worth as one of the best players in Asia. And Malaysia’s hopes of getting a good result dimmed after national coach B. Sathianathan revealed that only three out of his 18 charges are 100 per cent fit for the match. This also does not augur well for Sathianathan, whose job is also on the line after several disastrous results last year.

UAE coach Dominique Bathenay, who took over from Bruno Metsu last September, said Ismail is an excellent striker. “I hope Ismail will get the job done tomorrow (today). It will be a tough match against Malaysia, but we hope for the best,” said the UAE coach. Ismail made his name in the 2003 Under-20 World Youth Championships, where he was awarded the Adidas Golden Ball award. The striker, who has received offers from top clubs in Spain and Italy, is also best remembered for helping the UAE win the 2007 Gulf Cup. Sathianathan admitted that he is disappointed with the fitness levels of his charges. “Only three out of the 18 selected players kept their fitness in check after the Asean Championships last December. The rest only posted average scores in a recent fitness test conducted by the National Sports Council (NSC),” said Sathianathan yesterday. “I don’t have any choice. They are the best in the country. My only hope is a good result tomorrow (today).”

National skipper Shukor Adan will miss the match as he is yet to recover from a hamstring injury. “Of course, we will miss Shukor. He is the best in the country and I don’t think there is any player with his level of ability and commitment.” “In his absence, we have Hardi Jaafar and Indra Putra Mahayuddin as replacements,” added Sathianathan.